Antonella Napolitano
@svaroschi.bsky.social
Working on surveillance technology, migration, welfare.
Collaborating with public interest newsrooms and human rights orgs.
Bridging and connecting.
Previously at Privacy International, Open Migration, TechPresident.
Collaborating with public interest newsrooms and human rights orgs.
Bridging and connecting.
Previously at Privacy International, Open Migration, TechPresident.
Pinned
Companies are marketing “alternatives” to immigration detention such as ankle monitors, GPS-enabled watches, and biometric reporting apps. But research by Petra Molnar, Daniel Ghezelbash, Carolina Gottardo, and Antonella Napolitano finds that tech doesn’t dismantle detention—it expands it.
Technology is Turning Immigration Detention into an Invisible Leash | TechPolicy.Press
Rights-based and community-centered alternatives to detention are possible, write Petra Molnar, Daniel Ghezelbash, Carolina Gottardo, and Antonella Napolitano.
www.techpolicy.press
Without a shift in policy, the dominant trajectory of technology in immigration will continue to be digital surveillance. It doesn't have to be that way.
Very glad to talk about our global research on technology and alternatives to detention on @techpolicypress.bsky.social.
Very glad to talk about our global research on technology and alternatives to detention on @techpolicypress.bsky.social.
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
On Tues, Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdel Fattah attempted to fly to London to attend two conferences. He was stopped by authorities and told he could not travel.
It's been almost 2 months since Alaa was pardoned. It's time for him to be allowed to travel too www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
It's been almost 2 months since Alaa was pardoned. It's time for him to be allowed to travel too www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
British-Egyptian activist stopped from flying to UK, says family
Egyptian authorities prevented Alaa Abd el-Fattah from attending human rights awards in London
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:56 PM
On Tues, Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdel Fattah attempted to fly to London to attend two conferences. He was stopped by authorities and told he could not travel.
It's been almost 2 months since Alaa was pardoned. It's time for him to be allowed to travel too www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
It's been almost 2 months since Alaa was pardoned. It's time for him to be allowed to travel too www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
During the height of the pandemic, Tyson used Palantir to predict Covid-19 infections among meatpacking workers down to a nearly exactly figure. But rather than using this data to increase worker protections, Tyson used it plan for labor shortages + plant closures
My latest for @sentientmedia.org
My latest for @sentientmedia.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:49 PM
During the height of the pandemic, Tyson used Palantir to predict Covid-19 infections among meatpacking workers down to a nearly exactly figure. But rather than using this data to increase worker protections, Tyson used it plan for labor shortages + plant closures
My latest for @sentientmedia.org
My latest for @sentientmedia.org
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
With @balkanizator.bsky.social and @stavinoha.bsky.social, and thanks to support from @globalfreemedia.bsky.social / @lighthousereports.com, we reveal new details about the agency's plans to use image classifiers and facial recognition, partnering with private actors wearesolomon.com/mag/format/i...
Hungry for data: Inside Europol’s secretive AI program
Europol’s growing appetite for data and artificial intelligence is transforming European policing, largely out of public view, and without clear oversight.
wearesolomon.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
With @balkanizator.bsky.social and @stavinoha.bsky.social, and thanks to support from @globalfreemedia.bsky.social / @lighthousereports.com, we reveal new details about the agency's plans to use image classifiers and facial recognition, partnering with private actors wearesolomon.com/mag/format/i...
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
Shall we care about Europol? The answer is... Read our latest investigation to catch a glimpse about what the agency is doing to accelerate the AI transformation of policing across the EU, with minimal safeguards. www.computerweekly.com/news/3666344...
Hungry for data: Inside Europol’s secretive AI programme | Computer Weekly
The EU’s law enforcement agency has been quietly amassing data to feed an ambitious but secretive artificial intelligence development programme that could have far-reaching privacy implications for pe...
www.computerweekly.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Shall we care about Europol? The answer is... Read our latest investigation to catch a glimpse about what the agency is doing to accelerate the AI transformation of policing across the EU, with minimal safeguards. www.computerweekly.com/news/3666344...
Public money is being rapidly funnelled out of the care system into the hands of private companies, rather than reinvested to improve services.
Private companies operating care services in three regions of England have taken more than £250m in profits in 3 years.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Private companies operating care services in three regions of England have taken more than £250m in profits in 3 years.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Private care providers in three English regions make £250m in three years
More than third of profits analysed went to firms owned by private equity or based in tax havens, research finds
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Public money is being rapidly funnelled out of the care system into the hands of private companies, rather than reinvested to improve services.
Private companies operating care services in three regions of England have taken more than £250m in profits in 3 years.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Private companies operating care services in three regions of England have taken more than £250m in profits in 3 years.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
Myanmar journalists in exile are "unable to escape the grim realities of the junta's brutality because their days are spent gathering news of the loss, grief, and despair back home" but downplay their trauma, writes our fellow from Kayin State.
kite-tales.org/en/article/w...
kite-tales.org/en/article/w...
When telling the story involves absorbing the despair
kite-tales.org
November 11, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Myanmar journalists in exile are "unable to escape the grim realities of the junta's brutality because their days are spent gathering news of the loss, grief, and despair back home" but downplay their trauma, writes our fellow from Kayin State.
kite-tales.org/en/article/w...
kite-tales.org/en/article/w...
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
El gobierno de España abre dos cárceles de migrantes en Mauritania
Ambos centros de detención fueron construidos por la agencia de cooperación española FIAP y reservan espacio e incluso cunas para privar de libertad también a migrantes menores de edad.
www.elsaltodiario.com/fronteras/go...
Ambos centros de detención fueron construidos por la agencia de cooperación española FIAP y reservan espacio e incluso cunas para privar de libertad también a migrantes menores de edad.
www.elsaltodiario.com/fronteras/go...
El gobierno de España abre dos cárceles de migrantes en Mauritania
Ambos centros de detención fueron construidos por la agencia de cooperación española FIAP, del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, y reservan espacio e incluso cunas para privar de libertad también a mi...
www.elsaltodiario.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:35 AM
El gobierno de España abre dos cárceles de migrantes en Mauritania
Ambos centros de detención fueron construidos por la agencia de cooperación española FIAP y reservan espacio e incluso cunas para privar de libertad también a migrantes menores de edad.
www.elsaltodiario.com/fronteras/go...
Ambos centros de detención fueron construidos por la agencia de cooperación española FIAP y reservan espacio e incluso cunas para privar de libertad también a migrantes menores de edad.
www.elsaltodiario.com/fronteras/go...
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
Bad news for human rights and national security, no matter how you spin it
NSO Group has a new executive chairman, David Friedman, who's a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and onetime bankruptcy lawyer for President Trump.
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli... via @WSJ
NSO Group has a new executive chairman, David Friedman, who's a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and onetime bankruptcy lawyer for President Trump.
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli... via @WSJ
Israeli Spyware Maker NSO Gets New Owners, Leadership and Seeks to Mend Reputation
Investors led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds have taken a controlling stake in the company behind Pegasus, and former Trump official David Friedman has been named executive chairman.
www.wsj.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Bad news for human rights and national security, no matter how you spin it
NSO Group has a new executive chairman, David Friedman, who's a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and onetime bankruptcy lawyer for President Trump.
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli... via @WSJ
NSO Group has a new executive chairman, David Friedman, who's a former U.S. ambassador to Israel and onetime bankruptcy lawyer for President Trump.
www.wsj.com/tech/israeli... via @WSJ
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
EXCL: Home Office travel records used in controversial anti-fraud crackdown were so flawed that almost half of families initially flagged as emigrated still lived in UK - Luke Butterly &
@lisaocarroll.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
@lisaocarroll.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
HMRC trial of child benefit crackdown wrongly suspected fraud in 46% of cases
Exclusive: Almost half of families flagged as emigrants based on Home Office travel data were still living in UK
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
EXCL: Home Office travel records used in controversial anti-fraud crackdown were so flawed that almost half of families initially flagged as emigrated still lived in UK - Luke Butterly &
@lisaocarroll.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
@lisaocarroll.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
Josh Simons, the junior minister responsible for digital ID (and former Labour Together director) has promised govt will embark on “the largest ever digital inclusion programme ever delivered in this country" to deliver digital ID. www.publictechnology.net/2025/11/05/s...
Government ‘considering physical alternatives’ for those unable access digital ID
Ministers reveal that the digitally excluded may be able to use familiar locations on the high street to obtain a more traditional ID card that could be kept in wallets
Government is exploring ...
www.publictechnology.net
November 8, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Josh Simons, the junior minister responsible for digital ID (and former Labour Together director) has promised govt will embark on “the largest ever digital inclusion programme ever delivered in this country" to deliver digital ID. www.publictechnology.net/2025/11/05/s...
More steps in the militarisation of Frontex
With regional offices in seven EU member states, #Frontex is decentralising its operational command. The reform is part of the expansion of the #StandingCorps. A new regulation will give the agency additional powers:
digit.site36.net/2025/11/03/f...
digit.site36.net/2025/11/03/f...
Frontex to expand with new regulation, establishes regional commands for armed units | Matthias Monroy
With new offices in seven EU member states, Frontex is decentralising its operational command. The reform is part of the expansion of the “Standing Corps”. A new regulation is intended to give the…
digit.site36.net
November 3, 2025 at 9:33 AM
More steps in the militarisation of Frontex
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
Tomorrow, multinational Lafarge and several of its former executives will stand trial in Paris for financing terrorist groups. Although this is a milestone for corporate accountability, it should not detract from the fact that the company is also charged for complicity in crimes against humanity.
November 3, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Tomorrow, multinational Lafarge and several of its former executives will stand trial in Paris for financing terrorist groups. Although this is a milestone for corporate accountability, it should not detract from the fact that the company is also charged for complicity in crimes against humanity.
So, the EU is not building a common army but is debating whether Frontex* should be in charge of parts of it? ...well, "assume additional responsibilities to address hybrid threats" and "“pre-departure” checks of travellers", that is.
*not a law enforcement agency
www.euractiv.com/news/exclusi...
*not a law enforcement agency
www.euractiv.com/news/exclusi...
EXCLUSIVE: EU capitals eye wider powers for Frontex to tackle drone threats | Euractiv
The move comes amid mounting concern over a series of drone incursions into European airspace in recent months
www.euractiv.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:05 AM
So, the EU is not building a common army but is debating whether Frontex* should be in charge of parts of it? ...well, "assume additional responsibilities to address hybrid threats" and "“pre-departure” checks of travellers", that is.
*not a law enforcement agency
www.euractiv.com/news/exclusi...
*not a law enforcement agency
www.euractiv.com/news/exclusi...
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
The Authoritarian Stack
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next.
➡️ ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ www.authoritarian-stack.info
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next.
➡️ ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ www.authoritarian-stack.info
November 2, 2025 at 8:07 AM
The Authoritarian Stack
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next.
➡️ ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ www.authoritarian-stack.info
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next.
➡️ ➡️ ➡️ ➡️ www.authoritarian-stack.info
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
Alongside armored vehicles, local police are getting surveillance technology with help from the federal government. Learn what tech law enforcement have in your area with EFF's Atlas of Surveillance, where we’ve documented thousands of examples: atlasofsurveillance.org/
Atlas of Surveillance
Documenting Police Tech in Our Communities with Open Source Research
www.atlasofsurveillance.org
November 1, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Alongside armored vehicles, local police are getting surveillance technology with help from the federal government. Learn what tech law enforcement have in your area with EFF's Atlas of Surveillance, where we’ve documented thousands of examples: atlasofsurveillance.org/
TODAY!
(in an hour)
(in an hour)
Join us online on 30th October: I'm very much looking forward to presenting the report on technology and alternatives to detention I recently worked on, hosted by the Technology & Digital Futures thematic group of @bordercrim.bsky.social
Sign up here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Sign up here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Technology & Digital Futures feat. Antonella Napolitano
Please use this form to sign up for the Border Criminologies Technology & Digital Futures seminar with Antonella Napolitano on Thursday 30th October from 15:00–16:15 GMT.
Antonella will present a ne...
docs.google.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:52 PM
TODAY!
(in an hour)
(in an hour)
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
The question isn’t "why does Signal use AWS?" It’s to look at the infrastructural requirements of any global, real-time, mass comms platform and ask how it is that we got to a place where there’s no realistic alternative to AWS and the other hyperscalers. 3/
October 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
The question isn’t "why does Signal use AWS?" It’s to look at the infrastructural requirements of any global, real-time, mass comms platform and ask how it is that we got to a place where there’s no realistic alternative to AWS and the other hyperscalers. 3/
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
📆 Join us for an online seminar next Thursday! @svaroschi.bsky.social will present a new co-authored report with the International Detention Coalition: 'From Surveillance to Empowerment: Advancing the Responsible Use of Tech in Alternatives to Detention'.
Sign up 👇
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Sign up 👇
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
October 20, 2025 at 10:56 AM
📆 Join us for an online seminar next Thursday! @svaroschi.bsky.social will present a new co-authored report with the International Detention Coalition: 'From Surveillance to Empowerment: Advancing the Responsible Use of Tech in Alternatives to Detention'.
Sign up 👇
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Sign up 👇
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
Can't work because AWS?
It's a good time to read this piece if you haven't! www.noemamag.com/we-need-to-r...
It's a good time to read this piece if you haven't! www.noemamag.com/we-need-to-r...
We Need To Rewild The Internet | NOEMA
The internet has become an extractive and fragile monoculture. But we can revitalize it using lessons learned by ecologists.
www.noemamag.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Can't work because AWS?
It's a good time to read this piece if you haven't! www.noemamag.com/we-need-to-r...
It's a good time to read this piece if you haven't! www.noemamag.com/we-need-to-r...
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
ICE "has been rapidly building out its surveillance capabilities in recent weeks, signing a string of contracts for technologies to identify individuals by their irises or facial features and to monitor their cellphone activity, social media posts and physical movements," per spending disclosures.
ICE amps up its surveillance powers, targeting immigrants and antifa
Iris scanners, facial recognition apps, phone-hacking software and cellphone location data are among the agency’s recent technological purchases.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:14 AM
ICE "has been rapidly building out its surveillance capabilities in recent weeks, signing a string of contracts for technologies to identify individuals by their irises or facial features and to monitor their cellphone activity, social media posts and physical movements," per spending disclosures.
There are drinking games and then there's re-reading "The Prodigal Techbro" every time @mariafarrell.bsky.social is mentioned.
(I am fun at parties, I swear)
conversationalist.org/2020/03/05/the-prodigal-techbro/
(I am fun at parties, I swear)
conversationalist.org/2020/03/05/the-prodigal-techbro/
The Prodigal Techbro
Prodigal tech bro stories skip straight from the past, when they were part of something that—surprise!—turned out to be bad, to the present, where they are now a moral authority on how to do good…
conversationalist.org
October 17, 2025 at 10:53 AM
There are drinking games and then there's re-reading "The Prodigal Techbro" every time @mariafarrell.bsky.social is mentioned.
(I am fun at parties, I swear)
conversationalist.org/2020/03/05/the-prodigal-techbro/
(I am fun at parties, I swear)
conversationalist.org/2020/03/05/the-prodigal-techbro/
"A few months after Kabul fell, a new German government took office with a pledge to ensure that endangered Afghan local staff could be “brought to safety through unbureaucratic procedures. We will not abandon our allies”
Source: @lighthousereports.com, 2023
www.lighthousereports.com/investigatio...
Source: @lighthousereports.com, 2023
www.lighthousereports.com/investigatio...
October 17, 2025 at 7:34 AM
"A few months after Kabul fell, a new German government took office with a pledge to ensure that endangered Afghan local staff could be “brought to safety through unbureaucratic procedures. We will not abandon our allies”
Source: @lighthousereports.com, 2023
www.lighthousereports.com/investigatio...
Source: @lighthousereports.com, 2023
www.lighthousereports.com/investigatio...
Join us online on 30th October: I'm very much looking forward to presenting the report on technology and alternatives to detention I recently worked on, hosted by the Technology & Digital Futures thematic group of @bordercrim.bsky.social
Sign up here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Sign up here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Technology & Digital Futures feat. Antonella Napolitano
Please use this form to sign up for the Border Criminologies Technology & Digital Futures seminar with Antonella Napolitano on Thursday 30th October from 15:00–16:15 GMT.
Antonella will present a ne...
docs.google.com
October 16, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Join us online on 30th October: I'm very much looking forward to presenting the report on technology and alternatives to detention I recently worked on, hosted by the Technology & Digital Futures thematic group of @bordercrim.bsky.social
Sign up here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Sign up here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Antonella Napolitano
La maggioranza ieri alla Camera ha confermato la linea del Memorandum Italia-Libia originariamente firmato nel 2017 dal governo Gentiloni.
Il tutto mentre le violenze dei libici sono in continuo aumento, scrive un rapporto di Sea Watch.
Vergogna sopra vergogna.
www.politico.eu/article/sea-...
Il tutto mentre le violenze dei libici sono in continuo aumento, scrive un rapporto di Sea Watch.
Vergogna sopra vergogna.
www.politico.eu/article/sea-...
EU-backed Libyan coast guard increasing violent attacks at sea, report finds
Brussels’ partnership with Tripoli is in the spotlight ahead of meetings between EU and Libyan officials this week.
www.politico.eu
October 16, 2025 at 6:01 AM
La maggioranza ieri alla Camera ha confermato la linea del Memorandum Italia-Libia originariamente firmato nel 2017 dal governo Gentiloni.
Il tutto mentre le violenze dei libici sono in continuo aumento, scrive un rapporto di Sea Watch.
Vergogna sopra vergogna.
www.politico.eu/article/sea-...
Il tutto mentre le violenze dei libici sono in continuo aumento, scrive un rapporto di Sea Watch.
Vergogna sopra vergogna.
www.politico.eu/article/sea-...